"The taoiseach has previously expressed impatience over the lack of clarity from Britain on Brexit," said Mr Adams.

"He now knows the date on which Article 50 will be triggered. The clock is ticking, so he needs to act accordingly and stand up for our national interests across the island, at European level, to secure special designated status for the north within the EU.

"That is the consensus of the majority of parties north and south.

"If the British government succeeds in its plans, it will drive part of Ireland out of the European Union.

"That is not acceptable."

The party's northern leader Michelle O'Neill said she planned to meet Mrs May to voice her strong opposition to the triggering of Article 50.

The prime minister is reportedly set to travel to the region later this week, coinciding with the last few days of talks to form a new power-sharing executive at Stormont.

"The British government are acting against the interest and the expressed wishes of a cross-community group of people here that want to stay in Europe," said Mrs O'Neill.

"We will be making that message clear to Theresa May when she is here - apparently she is coming later in the week - we will make this message very clear to her, that this is not good, this is bad news for the people of Ireland."